Because of the long standing issues of Biblical illiteracy and speculative theology, Christians are more likely to look at anything that could reflect upon the Biblical text and give them a "better" understanding of it.

I had a conversation with a very conservative, life long Church going lady who was really getting into this 2012 thing, she was somewhat surprised when I pointed out this was a pagan, non Christian or Hebrew prophecy. Seems some ministers are using it. When she got the information I gave her, she is now telling people she knows to forget it, but still it was shocking to me.

Bill, you pose some very good possiblilities. I think people are simply grasping.

Nauvoo, I agree. Biblical illiteracy and "Wal-Mart Theology" has made a generation of nominal Christians.

Monk, WOW! While it is hard to believe, I do anyway.

One thing I do believe, however, is that the return of Christ is imminent. Of course, it could be anytime, but it is possible that even the pagan world knows that it can't be much longer. I truly belive that it will be within my lifetime. Maranatha.